After previous successful editions in 2013 and 2015, Ola Ndi Igbo (Jewels of the Igbo people), the leading initiative dedicated to honouring and celebrating individuals of Igbo descent who have distinguished themselves in their profession on a global stage, will return for its third edition on 18 December 2017 in Enugu.
The theme for the 2017 Summit is ”Revitalizing the Can-do Igbo Spirit: Showcasing Innovations and Inventions from the South East.”
This year’s edition seeks to provide an avenue where local innovations and inventions from the people or residents of South East Nigeria can be showcased, provide cash incentives for innovators and inventors for more creative endeavours, harness local alternatives to local problems as a solution to the recession, and provide an avenue for networking opportunities between innovators, potential investors and the general public.
There will be a cash prize for the best innovator/invention, while the best 20 Inventors/Innovators will also have their capacity built in branding, marketing, running a business and financial management.
Ola Ndi Igbo Fair, a biennial summit established by a group of passionate, credible and committed young Igbo Professionals in Nigeria and the Diaspora, is organized by the South Saharan Social Development Organisation with the aim of fostering a community of individuals of Igbo descent who are proud of their heritage and are committed to working collaboratively to promote the social and economic development of Ndigbo.
The first Summit was held at the Civic Centre Lagos State in 2013 and inspired a range of initiatives to promote development in Igbo land including the creation of an entrepreneurship and vocational training centre for youth in the Southeast, a soul searching summit titled “Olu Ndi Igbo and a business training programme for Igbo traders in markets across Nigeria.”
The 2015 edition took place in the South Eastern city of Enugu with the theme: “Leveraging the power of entertainment, media, technology and education for changing paradigms and future realities.”
This edition will welcome submissions from Africa and around the world, and will feature an ambitious program of talks and events in partnership with international and local institutions to broaden the reach of the fair and further diversify its portfolio of exhibiting and promoting innovations and inventions that are connected to Ndi Igbo and Igboland.
Works of art such as poetry, short stories, artistic paintings and sculptures, as well as basic research reports and observation records shall not be accepted.
Deadline for submission of application is on 18 October, 2017. Interested participants should visit www.olandiigbo.net for more information and to complete the Application form.
